cabin door

[demag67]

I am replacing my cabin door since the frame and door are in bad shape and I want to cut into the top to give a little more head room for getting in and out. I was looking at roll up doors like apache uses or go back to a stock style door with a lift up hatch. problem is if I do the door with a lift up hatch I have to make it myself and I can't find the z shape aluminum with seal to make the door frame. what would you go with.

 

[keith4216]

Pricey but you looking for something like this?
http://greatlakesskipper.com/sea-pro-boat-cabin-entry-door-w-lock-and-hatch-top

 

[demag67]

I need the frame from one of them. My boat isn't a 90 degree bend at the top. Its two 45's so I would have to custom make it then build a door to fit the frame. I think they call it z shape aluminum but it has to have the seal on the one edge where the door sits and I need two rounded ends and a couple of straight pieces and I would just cut it and bend it to fit my boat.

 

[JUPITER PULSARE]

I also thought about cutting a taller entry into the cabin. After much debate and mental masterbation..I decided against it. I feel the full dash (including the vertical plane that runs gunnel to gunnel) acts as a deck bulkhead and adds to the structural integrity of the boat. Also, if I cut the doorway opening taller I would loose the space for my stereo..and if I removed part of the horizontal plane above the door I would lose the space for my compass.... For the few times a day I may need access to the cabin it's not that big a deal for me to bend over and step down or sit on the floor and pull myself into the cabin. Thus, the new framed byfold door was installed in place of the swinging teak doors...

 

[demag67]

I had thought about putting a stock style door back in but I have to make it family friendly and its hard carrying a baby down through the door. on my boat as long as the bulkheads are there it should still have a good amount of strength. if I cant figure something out I will just have to listen to the complaining and put standard size door back in. was also thinking about using a roll up door like apache does.